Even before they were drenched in one of the worst rainstorms in New York history, before one of their members experienced something of a miracle on 42nd Street and before they attracted the attention of a famous soprano, the Peninsula Singers knew their trip to the city would be extraordinary.

The members of the Point Loma chorus were in New York to sing at Carnegie Hall.

The singers are the second of San Diego’s countless community choruses and choirs to perform in the legendary concert hall. Southwestern College Concert Choir went to Carnegie a decade ago.

Anticipating the trip for nearly two years was exciting, says Marcia Berneger, 57, the chorus’ unofficial spokeswoman, who got together with 11 other members to talk about the experience. “We were going to Carnegie Hall. Then to get there and see the place and (experience the acoustics), then to be standing on that stage where so much history has taken place and (to think) here I was singing there as well, it was unbelievable.”

For Tim Gerrofette ﻿and his wife, Pam Page, ﻿something even more unbelievable happened after a cab ride.

Tim discovered he’d lost his wallet soon after they returned to their hotel — the Grand Hyatt New York on 42nd Street — from a tour of Carnegie Hall.

“I was upset,” he recalls. “I knew I could shut down the credit cards and the cash (maybe $100 or more) could be replaced. But my ID, what could I do about that? How would I be able to get on a plane to get back home? I wasn’t very happy.”

But four hours later, Tim’s sadness became joy when the cabdriver, a man named Hussenimou Ba ﻿who had gone through great lengths to find him, showed up at the hotel with the wallet intact.

Even today Tim and Pam, both 63, stumble trying to find words to describe how strong an impact that act of kindness and honesty made on their faith in human nature.

Still, the road to Carnegie Hall last month was no limousine ride for the singers. The group formed six years ago to provide an alternative for teens whose public school music programs were being axed by tightened budgets.

The 75 members, whose ages range from 14 to 85, raised money, saved and sacrificed after they learned in 2008 they had been selected to sing Beethoven’s Mass in C major in MidAmerica Productions’ 26th anniversary presentation. Of the group, 53 went to New York.

MidAmerica Productions presents soloists, choral and instrumental ensembles from around the world at venues in New York and Europe.

Terry Russell, director of the Southwestern College choir, recommended the Peninsula Singers be included in the Carnegie Hall program after she heard the group sing.

The moment the singers, who had left San Diego on March 11, hit New York, so did a pouring rain, whipped by high winds. It was part of a storm that would wreak havoc during their four-day stay.

There was just too much going on, what with rehearsals and tours, to pay attention to the weather, says Lorraine Turner, 49. ﻿For example, she and a couple other chorus members toured the city in the middle of the storm.